Thinking of buying or adopting
a Bedlington Terrier?

Bedlington Terrier Overview

The Bedlington Terrier is a small breed, standing between 38 cm to 44 cm in height. It has a distinctive arched loin and long pear-shaped head covered with profuse silky top knot at the crown. The body is covered with a linty coat of blue, liver or sandy colour. Its general appearance is like that of a little lamb which makes it easily distinguishable from other dog breeds. It has a mild and gentle expression when it is in the state of rest, having no signs of shyness or nervousness but a total opposite when it is aroused when it displays extreme alertness and immense energy. The head is narrow but deep and round and has no stop. The eyes are small and appears triangular while the low-set, velvety ears are triangular with rounded tips, covered with short, fine hair with white fringes at the tip and hang flat to the cheeks, almost reaching the corner of the mouth when pulled forward. The teeth form a complete scissor bite. It has a long tapering neck, straight front legs set wider apart at the chest, flat shoulders and muscular hindquarters. The back is naturally arched over the loin which gives a tucked-up underline profile. The moderately long tail is thick at the base and tapers to a point, carried low and curved. All four legs are cushioned by long hare-like feet with thick and well-closed up pads.

Bedlington Terrier Characteristics

Intelligence

Intelligence

All dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.

Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.

5

Exercise Needs

Exercise Needs

All dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.

Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.

4

Dogs Health

Dogs Health

There are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.

4

Child Friendly

Child Friendly

There are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.

Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.

4

Apartment

Apartment

There are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.

Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.

4

Shedding

Shedding

All dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.

If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.

5

Grooming Needs

Grooming Needs

All dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.

Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.

1

Barking

Barking

Barking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.

Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.

3

Alone

Alone

Majority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.

Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.

3

Trainability

Trainability

There are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.

Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.

3

Energy Levels

Energy Levels

All dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.

High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.

Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.

4

Dog friendly

Dog friendly

Before you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.

There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.

Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.

Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.

4

History & Origin

There are many opinions regarding the exact bloodline of the Bedlington Terrier but one thing is certain: it was developed and came from the town of Bedlington in Northumberland, England. The most popular belief regarding its origin is that the breed used to belong exclusively to the gypsies in the Rothbury Forest during the 18th century. It was known back then as the Rothbury Terrier and it was utilized as a hunting companion used to go after foxes and hares. It was also used by the miners of Bedlington in hunting down vermin. Back then, there were two types of terrier – the rough coat and the smooth coat. However, these breeds eventually died out and became extinct by the 1870s, being replaced by breeds that descended from them. Among these are the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Bedlington Terrier which descended from the rough coat variety through selective breeding.

Bedlington Terrier Temperament

This spirited little dog is very lively, alert, inquisitive and full of confidence with strong hunting instincts. It is quite aggressive when it sees small animals such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, and similar animals. As a family pet, it is generally good-natured with an affectionate attitude. Sometimes, the Bedlington Terrier has a comical attitude and will act like a clown to get noticed by its owner. When it wants attention, it will throw itself in the centre of family activities. Its alertness makes it a great watchdog. It is a fast runner and a good swimmer. It is known for its intelligence and will not typically start a fight but will not back down when provoked by other dogs.

Training

The Bedlington Terrier is an intelligent dog and is easy to train. It requires positive reinforcement from a firm and consistent handler and will never respond to harsh or coercive training. Building a bond with the dog before training is very crucial in the dog’s training as it will easily obey commands from someone he/she trusts. Establish yourself as the leader of the pack, or the “alpha dog” if you will, so that the dog knows who is in charge. Once the dog knows you are the leader, it will successfully listen to your voice which will make training easier for the both of you.

Grooming

The curly coat of the Bedlington Terrier sheds very little and requires moderate amount of grooming time. Clipping the coat every eight weeks is advisable. The ears are customarily shaved with a tassel on the tip. Regular brushing is recommended as well as keeping the ears clean from was and foreign materials.

Health

Among the health problems that can affect the Bedlington Terrier are luxating patella, skin allergies, cataract, detached retina and copper toxicosis which is a serious liver disease. It is also prone to kidney problems, renal dysplasia, renal cortical hypoplasia, distichiasis and hypothyroidism. It has an average lifespan of 12 – 16 years. The most common cause of death according to a Kennel Club survey are urologic, old age and hepatic.

Exercise

The Bedlington Terrier is a small breed with moderate energy and thus need moderate amounts of exercise. Daily long walks are ideal but too little will make the breed bored and may channel boredom into mischievous behaviour. It will do fine in an apartment home as long as it is sufficiently exercised. It is fairly active indoors and will do fine even without a yard to run or play to.

Children and other pets

This breed is playful and affectionate which makes it a good family pet. It is very loving with children and will get along well with them, although it can become willful and stubborn at times. Early socialisation with other animals will usually make the Bedlington Terrier a good companion to other pets but it is advised to keep it away from other dogs with strong dominant behaviour. This dog is brave, energetic and super-fast that it will not back down from any fight.